I will be sailing out of a small marina off of Terra Ciea Bay in my Hunter 26, for two weeks. May wander as far south as Sanibel. Any must see's in the area?
Trip To St. Pete.
- Thread starter Mergatroid
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By all means ...
you will want to cruise the waters surrounding Pine Island/Sanibel. My favorite places around there is Pelican Bay just on the north end of Cayo Costa Geopark. That is a party place. Swing through the cut at Boca Grande and it's just few hundred yards south. Then head south and explore all the many islands you'll find. If you like Jimmy Buffet sounds, you might like to check out Cabbage Key for a cheese burger in paradice. Nice littel Inn on that island with nature trails. Island is only 10 acres big with a white wooden water tower you can climb. What a view. South of pine island is a town named St. James. Has a nice dock-up too restaurant there called 'Waterfront Restaurant'. Good food, good people. Good price. Nice anchorage on the skirts of that town. Sardo
you will want to cruise the waters surrounding Pine Island/Sanibel. My favorite places around there is Pelican Bay just on the north end of Cayo Costa Geopark. That is a party place. Swing through the cut at Boca Grande and it's just few hundred yards south. Then head south and explore all the many islands you'll find. If you like Jimmy Buffet sounds, you might like to check out Cabbage Key for a cheese burger in paradice. Nice littel Inn on that island with nature trails. Island is only 10 acres big with a white wooden water tower you can climb. What a view. South of pine island is a town named St. James. Has a nice dock-up too restaurant there called 'Waterfront Restaurant'. Good food, good people. Good price. Nice anchorage on the skirts of that town. Sardo
It would be wrong of us to advise places
without knowing your likes or dislikes, your style of sailing, the time of the year you are making plans for and your budget. Try to get your hands on a copy of "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast" by Tom Lenfestey. It is just full of good information about everything you would want to know about cruising the left coast and then some.
without knowing your likes or dislikes, your style of sailing, the time of the year you are making plans for and your budget. Try to get your hands on a copy of "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast" by Tom Lenfestey. It is just full of good information about everything you would want to know about cruising the left coast and then some.
Hello Mergatroid I am a fellow Hoosier
But I sail in the exact area you are asking about and it is fantastic! But Benny is correct, give us a hint what you like and we can direct you to it. As you may know, you can go all the way to Sannibel on the inside or if the weather is nice, you can do the Gulf. Would you be inclined to anchor out or tie up at a marina? Do you care for fine dining or more like a picnic on the go? Any kids onboard? Do you want to get off the boat for some island nature walks? Anybody serious about catching a big Tarpon? Do you want to camp at all? Do you like any special kind of bars? Could you give us the approx dates? I live in Columbus In. but am down that way often. Maybe my wife and I could treat you and yours to a picnic on Egmont key if you have not visited it yet. Give us details Merg.
But I sail in the exact area you are asking about and it is fantastic! But Benny is correct, give us a hint what you like and we can direct you to it. As you may know, you can go all the way to Sannibel on the inside or if the weather is nice, you can do the Gulf. Would you be inclined to anchor out or tie up at a marina? Do you care for fine dining or more like a picnic on the go? Any kids onboard? Do you want to get off the boat for some island nature walks? Anybody serious about catching a big Tarpon? Do you want to camp at all? Do you like any special kind of bars? Could you give us the approx dates? I live in Columbus In. but am down that way often. Maybe my wife and I could treat you and yours to a picnic on Egmont key if you have not visited it yet. Give us details Merg.
Some answers
Hello Lance. I live on the south side of Indy, almost Greenwood. Sail Brookville in the summer. My folks live in Palmetto. We love Anna Maria and Mr. Bones! I will be down late Septemeber or early Oct. Single handing for a couple weeks. I do like to anchor out, but enjoy the marina a few times a week, to shower, eat and drink. Good advice on "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast", I will try and pick one up!
Hello Lance. I live on the south side of Indy, almost Greenwood. Sail Brookville in the summer. My folks live in Palmetto. We love Anna Maria and Mr. Bones! I will be down late Septemeber or early Oct. Single handing for a couple weeks. I do like to anchor out, but enjoy the marina a few times a week, to shower, eat and drink. Good advice on "A Gunkholer's Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast", I will try and pick one up!
Brookville
We live off of Stop 11 and Meridian. Started on a Boston Whaler 4.6, (no motor), on Eagle Creek. Dry docked there a year or two, then ventured out to other lakes. When we got to Brookville, we loved it. Just a few reasons: Less boat traffic, secluded area of the state, no dangerous and drunken frat boys on daddy's boat for the weekend. We have a slip at Hanna Creek Sailboat Marina. Nice deal. We have a good crew and they are lots of fun. The only bad part of Brookville, is the drive. Just under 2 hours vs, the just over an hour to Monroe. Come on down and look us up. The boat is Double Happiness, a 26 ft. Hunter. Regards, Jeff
We live off of Stop 11 and Meridian. Started on a Boston Whaler 4.6, (no motor), on Eagle Creek. Dry docked there a year or two, then ventured out to other lakes. When we got to Brookville, we loved it. Just a few reasons: Less boat traffic, secluded area of the state, no dangerous and drunken frat boys on daddy's boat for the weekend. We have a slip at Hanna Creek Sailboat Marina. Nice deal. We have a good crew and they are lots of fun. The only bad part of Brookville, is the drive. Just under 2 hours vs, the just over an hour to Monroe. Come on down and look us up. The boat is Double Happiness, a 26 ft. Hunter. Regards, Jeff
Jeff- Since you have a little time before your trip,
I will get back to you in about a week. I will be on Anna Maria and will have my charts in hand and might be able to steer you to some points of interest. You have a perfect size boat to see this area. More soon. Lance.
I will get back to you in about a week. I will be on Anna Maria and will have my charts in hand and might be able to steer you to some points of interest. You have a perfect size boat to see this area. More soon. Lance.
Definitely right about the frat boys on Monroe!
Jeff, Great observation about the weekend crowds on Monroe! I also started in the drydock over at Eagle Creek. First with a Tanzer 16, then for a year with our Hunter 240 - The puddle was just too small to keep our cabin boat there. It's going to be an expensive pull taking your boat down to Florida. Gas at 3.75 this morning. Ouch!
Jeff, Great observation about the weekend crowds on Monroe! I also started in the drydock over at Eagle Creek. First with a Tanzer 16, then for a year with our Hunter 240 - The puddle was just too small to keep our cabin boat there. It's going to be an expensive pull taking your boat down to Florida. Gas at 3.75 this morning. Ouch!
Keep updating
Hope you will keep us in the loop on your plans. You might tempt some others to make the same journey. A small flotilla might make the trip a hoot.
Hope you will keep us in the loop on your plans. You might tempt some others to make the same journey. A small flotilla might make the trip a hoot.
Don't forget the flying rays and manatees.
We had a ray jump right in front of our boat when we were in that area 3 weeks ago. Thought it was great to see, until we were told of someone who had been killed by a "flying ray" earlier this year. We also saw 5 manatees. Wow. Really looking forward to 6 months a year retirement in Port Charlotte.
We had a ray jump right in front of our boat when we were in that area 3 weeks ago. Thought it was great to see, until we were told of someone who had been killed by a "flying ray" earlier this year. We also saw 5 manatees. Wow. Really looking forward to 6 months a year retirement in Port Charlotte.
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